Pros and Cons of Gas Furnace Systems

Across Los Angeles and the surrounding areas, homeowners can count on their gas furnaces to provide them with plenty of warmth. Although there are plenty of heating alternatives to furnaces, there are advantages and some disadvantages to installing a gas furnace for your home.

At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, we’ve installed hundreds of gas furnaces in different homes and have seen why many homeowners prefer these systems over other options. We’re here to help break down the pros and cons of gas furnaces and why they remain popular among homeowners.

Here’s a quick overview of the pros and cons of gas furnace systems.

Pros:

• Heats homes faster
• Cost-efficient operation
• Reliable energy supply

Cons:

• Shorter lifespan than other systems
• Emit greenhouse gasses

We’ll review each pros and cons to help provide a clear idea of whether a gas furnace is suitable for you and your home.

Pros of Gas Furnace Systems

1. Gas Furnaces Heat Homes Faster

Gas furnaces are capable of heating a home faster than other heating systems. These systems use forced air heating, where gas is combusted quickly to generate heat, which is then quickly blown by a fan motor and distributed around a home. Whereas some homeowners have experienced a lag in warm-up time with electric-only heating systems, gas furnaces can make a home feel warmer in minutes.

With proper ductwork installations, gas furnaces can more efficiently spread heat with little to no loss in the warm air temperature. Inadequate ductwork and restricted airflow will impact a gas furnace’s ability to heat up a home efficiently, and annual maintenance can ensure the system runs smoothly and distributes warm air without any restrictions.

Homeowners can take advantage of a gas furnace’s ability to make a house feel warmer and cozier. Furthermore, these systems can provide financial savings too.

2. Gas Furnaces Are Cost-Efficient

Gas furnace systems can provide homeowners with hundreds of dollars in energy savings throughout the system’s lifespan. All heating systems use the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE) rating as a standard measurement to compare how efficiently these systems can convert energy into heating.

The rating system ranges between 0 to 100, and gas furnaces have AFUE ratings ranging between .80 to .99. Furnace systems from the early 90s and before have an average AFUE rating of .50, so investing in a new gas furnace can result in long-term savings for homeowners.

It’s not just energy costs where homeowners can experience savings with gas furnaces. Depending on a homeowner’s budget, a gas furnace can provide more savings upfront than an air-source heat pump. The total savings will vary on certain factors, such as a home’s size, installation fees, and furnace brands.

In places like California, natural gas prices tend to be lower than electricity bills, offering homeowners a reliable source of energy savings and furnace fuel, too.

3. Reliable Gas Energy Supply

Natural gas used to power furnaces is regarded as more efficient in the cold, has a more consistent energy supply, and is more resilient to weather conditions than electricity. Gas is abundant and also the cleanest burning fossil fuel.

Furnaces receive natural gas from dedicated gas lines built underground, so they’re not susceptible to energy disruptions caused by harsh weather like heavy snow and thunderstorms. The gas pipelines in homes around Los Angeles receive natural gas directly from SoCal Gas, and Long Beach residents have their natural gas supplied by the Long Beach Gas & Oil Department.

As abundant as natural gas may seem, gas furnaces carry a few disadvantages homeowners should be aware of.

Cons of Gas Furnace Systems

1. Gas Furnaces Have Shorter Lifespan

Gas furnaces may not last as long as other heating systems, such as electric furnaces and boilers. On average, gas furnaces last between 15 to 20 years. Some gas furnaces have lasted over 25 years with annual maintenance and tune-ups. Still, gas furnaces are more likely to lose some heating efficiency as time goes on.

Generally speaking, gas furnaces tend to reach the end of their lifespan after 15 years due to accumulated wear and tear on the parts within the unit. For some homeowners, 15 years may seem like a short time. Yet, most gas furnace manufacturers have a 5 to 10-year general warranty on parts and 20-year warranty coverage on the heat exchanger.

Whether your gas furnace lasts 15 years or 25, it will emit greenhouse gasses throughout its lifetime.

2. Gas Furnaces Can Emit Greenhouse Gasses

Furnaces use natural gas, a fossil fuel that, when burned, converts into greenhouse gasses known to be harmful to the environment. As a home is heated, furnaces will consume natural gas and convert it into methane and carbon dioxide. These two gases are known to contribute to greenhouse emissions.

Manufacturers have made improvements to modern furnaces so they emit fewer greenhouse gasses. Still, as long as natural gas is used, furnaces will continue to emit some amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses.

For homeowners seeking a more environmentally friendly option, heat pumps can provide a house with warm air without impacting the environment.

Is a Gas Furnace System Right for Me?

Gas furnaces are considered the standard in HVAC due to their ability to warm a home quickly, but with the downside of emitting greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide. We’ve broken down other pros and cons of gas furnaces so that you can paint a picture of what these heating systems offer.

For over 15 years, we’ve seen how popular gas furnaces remain among homeowners despite the growing number of other heating alternatives. At Monkey Wrench Plumbing, Heating, Air & Electric, our HVAC technicians have combined years of experience in installing and servicing furnaces across Los Angeles and all the surrounding areas. Our insider experience has shown us the pros and cons of gas furnaces.

If you’re ready to pursue a new gas furnace system for your home, contact us using one of the buttons below. You can also book an appointment through our HVAC online scheduler.

After weighing out the pros and cons of gas furnaces, learn more about what the cost of a gas furnace is. If you prefer to consider other options, check out how gas furnaces compare to air-source heat pumps.